Abstract:

In Phase II, the PCCI Team will conduct the research and development required to extend the design of the multi-occupant, flexible, hyperbaric chamber to withstand an internal pressure of 165 feet of sea water (fsw), up from the 70 fsw design goal of the Phase I SBIR. This increased pressure rating will both benefit the NOAA Diving Program, by allowing treatment of divers to U.S. Navy Table 6A applications, and increase the commercialization potential of the resulting chamber design, since a 165 fsw chamber is of interest to the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and other organizations. In Phase II, we will also complete the design drawings and specifications for the chamber, acquire the materials for, and fabricate, a prototype of the multi-occupant, flexible, hyperbaric chamber which will then be tested to ensure the prototype can meet the requirements of the ASME Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy National Standard (PVHO-1 and proposed Case JJ), and the U.S. Navy Diving and Hyperbaric Safety and Certification Standards. We anticipate the delivered prototype will become the first of three (minimum) pressure vessels that must remain intact during the prototype testing to meet the PVHO standards, giving PCCI a firm foundation for product commercialization.